Markets in Bharatpur remain closed to protest boy's kidnapping

Traders in Rajasthan's Bharatpur town kept the markets closed Thursday in protest against the kidnapping of a businessman's six-year-old son for ransom, police said.

According to police, the incident occurred in Bharatpur, some 180 km from Jaipur.

"The child, Priyanshu Khandelwal, had gone to get toffees from a shop near his house July 16. He didn't return home. The family members searched for him for a few hours and then they lodged a case," said a police officer.

The family members received a letter in which the kidnappers demanded a ransom of Rs.7 lakh, the officer said.

In the letter, the kidnappers have threatened of dire consequences if the family members failed to pay the ransom.

"Priyanshu's father - Sharad Khandelwal - is a businessman. The traders in Bharatpur kept markets closed Thursday demanding arrest of the kidnappers and safe return of the child. We have sent teams to several places in search of the kidnappers," said the officer.